Standard content for Members only
To continue reading this article, please login to your Utility Week account, Start 14 day trial or Become a member.
If your organisation already has a corporate membership and you haven’t activated it simply follow the register link below. Check here.
Labour has tabled 11 amendments to the Infrastructure Bill today in an attempt to “tighten the regulations for shale gas” and protect water supplies.
These amendments include mandating independent well inspections and ensuring “adequate protection for groundwater aquifers” and for all the water companies to become statutory consultees in the planning process.
Labour’s planned changes to the Bill, which is having its second reading in the House of Commons today, will also introduce baseline monitoring of methane in groundwater, a “presumption against fracking in protected areas”, and for the contents of the frack fluid to be published.
The amendments will also require all shale sites to conduct environmental impact assessments, and for local planning authorities to consider the cumulative impact of multiple developments in their area.
Shadow energy minister Tom Greatrex said: “Shale gas extraction cannot go ahead unless we have a system of robust regulation and comprehensive inspection.
“Despite clear flaws in the existing framework, David Cameron’s government have repeatedly side-lined genuine and legitimate environmental concern and seem prepared to accept shale gas at any cost.”
The amendments will also adopt a proposal from the Smith Commission to develop shale gas mineral access rights to Scotland.
Greatrex added this will “will bring some coherence and clarity to a confusing situation” by giving the Scottish public a clear sense of where the responsibility lies in terms of approving fracking planning applications.
He said: “Rather than maintaining the false pretence that they are powerless to prevent fracking in Scotland, this amendment will give help clarify that the Scottish government the responsibility for all aspects of planning.”
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) said that protected areas such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and National Parks are “already protected” and that planning applications in these areas should be rejected apart from in “exceptional circumstances”.
A Decc spokesperson said: “We are clear that shale exploitation must be done in a safe and environmentally sound way.
“Robust regulations are already in place to ensure on-site safety, prevent water contamination and mitigate seismic activity and air pollution.”
Please login or Register to leave a comment.